“It’s not hype—it’s real” long live the King. #BlackPanther

Marvel Studios “Black Panther,” is the story of T’Challa, a young African prince who takes on the mantle of King and Super Hero, and the centuries’ old legacy that comes with it.

First introduced by Marvel Comics the groundbreaking Black Panther character made its first appearance in “Fantastic Four Vol. 1” Issue 52, published in 1966 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It’s important to note that the ownership and creation of Black Panther are by White men. However, most notably there were multiple new “Black Panther” publications from the likes of filmmaker Reginald Hudlin and author/journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates.

In 2016, the Marvel Cinematic Universe welcomed T’Challa/Black Panther introducing him to a massive fan base in “Captain America: Civil War,” the record-breaking hit film that pitted the Avengers against one another.  

It's good to be king. In theaters February 16! Get your tickets now: www.fandango.com/blackpanther ► Subscribe to Marvel: http://bit.ly/WeO3YJ Follow Marvel on Twitter: ‪https://twitter.com/marvel Like Marvel on FaceBook: ‪https://www.facebook.com/Marvel For even more news, stay tuned to: Tumblr: ‪http://marvelentertainment.tumblr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel Google+: ‪https://plus.google.com/+marvel Pinterest: ‪http://pinterest.com/marvelofficial

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to take his rightful place as King. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life. 

It’s not hype. It’s real. “Black Panther” broke the chains of mediocrity. The rich history of the fantastical world of Wakanda is brought to life, stitching in the spiritual, the mystical and the technological influences in the “country’s” culture. The story anchors in the real world with strong, complicated but relatable characters to allow the audiences to take in a tangible, yet remarkable experience.

Meet the warriors of Wakanda in this special look at Black Panther. See the film in theaters February 16! www.fandango.com/blackpanther ► Subscribe to Marvel: http://bit.ly/WeO3YJ Follow Marvel on Twitter: ‪https://twitter.com/marvel Like Marvel on FaceBook: ‪https://www.facebook.com/Marvel For even more news, stay tuned to: Tumblr: ‪http://marvelentertainment.tumblr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel Google+: ‪https://plus.google.com/+marvel Pinterest: ‪http://pinterest.com/marvelofficial

Chadwick Boseman’s Wakandan King is a superhero with a complicated past and uncertain future, and an identity that matters. He’s flawed therefore he’s believable. 

Under Coogler’s sturdy direction the nuances and details of the “Black Panther” storyline are impeccable. Structure firmly in place there isn’t a stereotype on the screen. It’s simple: it’s a game changer. Where the large majority of films made by white males are celebrated for their mediocrity the bar of true excellence in storytelling has been mounted, high, above the sky. To come close to claim what Coogler has achieved would require a spaceship to even attempt to claim the “throne.”

What makes “Black Panther” so explosive is that the story takes a look at “black self-hatred” and the crimes we commit against each other.  We are not innocent of our situation and if we don’t own up to this fact then we are doomed and should not really complain about the hell we created.  I mean if “we” bring the gasoline, and “we” light the fire, why should we be screaming “help me”?  There are no excuses for bad behavior and the consequences will bring a “superhero” to their knees. 

Find out what makes Wakanda the best kept secret in this all-new featurette with interviews from Director Ryan Coogler and cast.

This film is unabashedly political and highlights the power of Black women as very capable heroes with wisdom and a fearlessness never before seen on the screen. 

Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o’s character is Nakia a War Dog, a Wakandan spy often embedded in countries outside of Wakanda to observe and report back. She must decide whether she should be guided by her duty to her nation or her feelings for T’Challa. 

Playing a Marvel villain Erik Killmonger is Michael B. Jordan who brings such devious levels of unbridled pain that this actor actually manages to bring “sympathy” for the “devil”.

Okoye (Danai Gurai) is the head of the Dora Milaje, the all-female Wakandan Special Forces. She is the best fighter in Wakanda and she is fiercely loyal to the throne. 

W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya Academy Award® nominated for “Get Out” ) is the head of security for the Border Tribe who live on the borders of Wakanda and serve as the first line of defense for the country. To outsiders, they appear to be what people would “expect” of a small African nation—but the truth is they are some of the fiercest warriors in Wakanda, intent on protecting the secrets of their nation at all costs. 

Shuri (Letitia Wright) is T’Challa’s quick-witted little sister and tech wizard. The second-in-line for the throne behind her brother and is the smartest person in Wakanda—the top scientist and the innovator behind the Black Panther’s updated suits and technology.

“It’s hard for a good man to be king,” one of the best lines uttered in this film. How true, how true.  

Long live the king. Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" tickets are now available: https://fandan.co/2BxwgDf ► Subscribe to Marvel: http://bit.ly/WeO3YJ Follow Marvel on Twitter: ‪https://twitter.com/marvel Like Marvel on FaceBook: ‪https://www.facebook.com/Marvel For even more news, stay tuned to: Tumblr: ‪http://marvelentertainment.tumblr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel Google+: ‪https://plus.google.com/+marvel Pinterest: ‪http://pinterest.com/marvelofficial

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett, Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker and Andy Serkis. 

Directed by Ryan Coogler from a screenplay he wrote with Joe Robert Cole. The “Black Panther” creative brain trust includes frequent Coogler collaborators: director of photography Rachel Morrison, ASC, production designer Hannah Beachler, editor Michael P. Shawver and composer Ludwig Göransson; along with editor Debbie Berman, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, makeup designer Joel Harlow, visual effects supervisor Geoffrey Baumann, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick.     

"Black Panther" opens February 16, 2018.

“No justice, no peace” — Baltimore Rising — a new doc directed by “The Wire’s” Sonja Sohn premiering on HBO and HBO NOW on Nov. 20

“No justice, no peace”—these words are still echoing and falling, it seems, on the deaf ears of those charged to "protect and serve" and their indifference and homicidal deeds are repeatedly supported by United States political leaders with intolerance and hatred practiced at the highest level in the political structure of this country.  

Sitting inside the HBO's screening room, I wanted to cry, nay scream but the rising hairs on my arms and the back of my neck told me to hold study.  My heart wasn't just heavy, it was cracking, held together by the flimsy tape of hope—‘how long could this hold?” I pondered.  I could feel hands resting on my shoulder, whispering calming words in my ear. This is how I could watch and re-watch BALTIMORE RISING without howling like a mad woman. 

Directed by Sonja Sohn (one of the stars of the HBO series "The Wire"), BALTIMORE RISING follows activists, police officers, community leaders and gang affiliates, who struggle to hold Baltimore together, even as the homicide rate hits record levels. 

In the wake of the 2015 death of Freddie Gray in police custody, the city of Baltimore was tittering precariously, on the edge.  Despite the number of peaceful protests, the boiling pint was so high that riots erupted in the immediate aftermath of Gray's death, then the city waited to hear the fate of the six police officers involved in the incident.  It was agony felt across the country and it reflected the very deep divisions between authorities and the community - and underscoring the urgent need for reconciliation.

Reconciliation is that even possible? This dire situation has a very long and brutal history and Sohn’s BALTIMORE RISING chronicles the determined efforts of people on all sides who fight for justice and work to make their city better, sometimes coming together in unexpected ways, discovering a common humanity where before they often saw each other only as adversaries.

Among the key figures spotlighted in BALTIMORE RISING are:

Directed by The Wire actor Sonja Sohn, this thought-provoking documentary follows activists, police officers, community leaders and gang affiliates, who struggle to hold Baltimore together, in the wake of Freddie Gray's death, even as the homicide rate hits record levels, and explores how to make change when change is hard.

Commissioner Kevin Davis has led the Baltimore Police Department since 2015. Genard "Shadow" Barr (community leader, former gang member) is an addiction recovery specialist at the Penn-North Recovery Center, where he also helps organize a reentry jobs program for community members.  Adam Jackson (activist) is CEO of the grassroots think-tank Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Dayvon Love (activist), director of public policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Lt. Colonel Melvin Russell, chief of the Community Partnership Division, Baltimore Police Department. Dawnyell Taylor (police detective) has been with the Baltimore City Police for more than 16 years. In 2015 and 2016, she was the lead investigator in the Freddie Gray homicide case and testified at the trial of Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., who was charged with Gray's murder. Taylor continues to serve in the police academy in Baltimore.

Amongst those interviewed in the documentary, two young people stood out — Makayla Gilliam-Price (activist) founded the youth justice organization City Bloc as a high school student and Kwame Rose (activist), an artist, writer, musician and public speaker.

Here is a brief excerpt from a chat with  Makayla Gilliam-Price and Kwame Rose.

Lapacazo Sandoval:  Kwame Rose as an activist you are also an artist, writer, musician and have added public speaking.  What has changed since the uprising that followed Freddie Gray's death?

Kwame Rose:  That’s a great question.  The answer is complicated and a bit long, but to sum it up I am learning about how things work from the inside.  I am currently working actually in the office of the Baltimore Mayor, Mayor Catherine Pugh.  

LS:  What about you Makayla Gilliam-Price?  In the documentary, your mother made mention that because of her activism in the community, that you grew up on the front lines of protest, offering that "No justice no peace was your lullaby.” 

Makayla Gilliam-Price: In a lot of ways that’s true.  In the years since filming the documentary, and now I’ve grown up.  I graduated high school and I am attending college.  I am also very involved in organizing the grassroots think-tank Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, and I am learning something new every single day. 

“Baltimore Rising” directed by Sonja Sohn premiering on HBO and HBO NOW on Nov. 20

Array’s “Teach Us All” by director Sonia Lowman - Bradley Poindexter: In his own words

In his own words.  The young man looking at you is Bradley Poindexter.  His story is part of the remarkable documentary by first-time director Sonia Lowman “Teach Us All” which is now available on Netflix. 

This powerful documentary was acquired by Ava Duvernay’s distribution company —  ARRAY RELEASING which is a film collective that the  “A Wrinkle In Time” director started several years ago.

“Teach Us All” is about the social justice movement on educational inequality set against the backdrop of the 1957 Little Rock school desegregation crisis. Timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of that event, “Teach Us All” seeks to build the capacity of students and educators to take leadership in carrying forth the legacy of the Little Rock Nine while activating broader community engagement in today’s urgent movement for educational equity.

Lowman is an educated woman with a heart for service. Her background is impressive and it’s important to highlight that she’s only in her very early 30’s.  As the director of Director of Communications for the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, she’s worked in myriad international contexts that included: managing communications for International Medical Corps, a humanitarian relief organization with operations in 30-plus countries; running an International Monetary Fund youth outreach initiative in the Middle East for Arab university students; and contributing to policy papers on international women’s rights for several NGOs, including the United Nations. Plus she holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.

So, it’s little wonder that Ava Duvernay connected with this particular film because amongst the cold hard facts that make “Teach Us All” important viewing there are several sound solutions offered by well-versed educators that should be very seriously reviewed. 

Another exciting aspect that arose from the film was watching how the youth—in schools across the country—are educating themselves individually and as a group, and challenging the system.  There is more than hope—there is a movement.  

One of the students that left a mark was an African American youth, Bradley Poindexter, who grew up in one of the poorest sections of Little Rock, Arkansas. In painting a picture of his young life, he noted that he knew more people who “died” tragically than was in his High School class. 

At the time of posting this story Bradley Poindexter now a former student from Little Rock, Arkansas, joined the military and he is currently serving as a Security Forces Member of the U.S. Air Force.  It’s also interesting to note that prior to joining the armed forces, Bradley was an advocate for Educational Equity, working with education initiative Noble Impact in Little Rock.

“Teach Us All” is more than just a documentary to entertain you on Netflix— it’s a window into what can be done; must be done to make a positive change in the United States Public Educational system. In short, it’s movement.

"Teach Us All" an Array Releasing film. Now playing on Netflix.

Aliyah Moulden, lands a leading role in Netflix original film ‘Anastasia: Once Upon A Time’, wants to be an EGOT!

Super-vocalist powerhouse Aliyah Moulden has one big goal in mind and that is to become an EGOT.  EGOT is an acronym for those rare talents that have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony award. It’s a small group of artists who hold this distinction, including icons James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg and Rita Moreno. 

Afro-Latina (African American and Mexican) Aliyah who turned 16 on August 14th is walking toward the path to reach her EGOT goal. Training since the age of four, she considers “passion and discipline” as two of the vital qualities to reach her artistic goals. It’s that drive that helped Aliyah stand out while as a contestant on The Voice (2017), turning industry veteran’s heads with her voice and overall stage presence being compared to Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Adele. While on the top rated NBC show, The Voice, country singer Blake Shelton was her personal coach and she achieved top 3 status.

The young artist spends most of her time in training and on the road, and has already opened for Beyoncé’s protégés Chole X Hale, performed at the “BET Experience LA Live” (2016), Disney’s Channel’s Shake It Up after party opener for platinum singer Jesse McCarney, and participated in a national summer tour with Michael Deleasa with continuous collaborations with Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Zedd, Adam Levine, and Jennifer Hudson. 

On her own, she just completed her first EP which features the song “We Own the World”, written by Multi-Platinum producer Drew Lane (Hannah Montana and High School Musical). She was also a part of the National Official Stand Up Tour 2015, conducted by Peggy Lafrate, senior director of Sales at Teen Life and president at Strega Entertainment Group.

The big news for Moulden and one that move her closer to her EGOT goal is booking the leading role in the Netflix original feature film Anastasia: Once Upon A Time—retelling of the Anastasia Romanov story which marks the second production between Swen Group, the Latin American giant that recently established a U.S. distribution arm, and conglomerate—the Florida-based production company behind Walt Before Mickey and the upcoming Little Mermaid.

In Anastasia: Once Upon A Time, the story begins in 1917, as the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, flees Lenin’s troops through a time portal, emerging in 1988 when she befriends a young American girl. Aliyah Moulden will write and perform original songs and Blake Harris directs, as he did on Little Mermaid. Here is what she had to say about her career. 

Lapacazo Sandoval: You’ve been cast in the Anatasia Romanov story Anastasia: Once Upon A Time, which is set in 1917.  Can you tell us more about your role in this project?

Aliyah Moulden:  The name of the movie is “Anastasia:  Once Upon a Time”, and it’s about a girl named Anastasia, who travels from 1917 to 1988.  While she’s soaking up the eighties, she meets my character, Bliss, a pop artist of the 1980’s.  

LS: You born in 1988. You are not a child of the 80’s?  Can you identify?   

AM: Absolutely. I can definitely identify with [the character] Bliss because she and I both have a love for music.  For this character, I also get to work with the amazing music producer Jeremy Rubolino for the music for the film.  I am really excited about the opportunity and I look forward to working with such a talented cast and crew.

LS: What do you love about being a songstress?

AM: I love connecting with people through music.  I feel that music is such a personal thing and when you’re singing, it creates an indescribable feeling. 

LS: What advice would you give to young performers?  How do you keep your disciplined life matched with your professional obligations? 

AM: The advice that I would give to young performers is to stay focused, and to be ready to work very hard to achieve their dreams. I keep my disciplined life matched with my professional obligations by keeping daily, weekly, and monthly schedules.